On Jun 12, 5:36 pm, "Bill Stock" wrote:
No, I'm not an inmate.

I want to dig a tunnel for some 3" PVC, roughly 5' below grade (12' long). I
don't relish lifting the paving stones (again) or digging a trench 5' deep.
So I'm wondering how successful the water drills really are? I've read good
things, but it seems too good to be true. There's also a chance that the
area contains fill with the odd piece of concrete/brick. If I use a 3/4"
pipe with couplings I don't imagine I can hope for more than an 1.5" hole?

There's also these bad boys:

http://www.customaugers.com/alpha.html

But one long enough to do the job would break the budget. I've checked the
rental (Toronto) places online, but I haven't seen any yet.

Any words of wisdom on the water drills or better ideas?

The water drill can work but 12' is a long way!

My neighbor used an air powered "earth piercing torpedo" to "jack
hammer" 50' from curb to house for a new water main..............no
digging.

it was only a 1.5" torpedo but they come bigger.

http://www.nodig-construction.com/in...56&object_ID=7

here's a company near you

http://www.trenchlessutility.com/

Be careful..........a 5 or 6 foot deep working trench can be deadly
depending on the soil conditions.

You'll be at the bottom of that trench on your hands &
knees ............augering or water jetting a 12' long hole?


Two engineers (in DIY mode) had a 3' trench collapse on them in Orange
County, CA........neither survived.

How you considered hiring the job out to a company that does this sort
of thing?

A sidewalk is pretty easy but you've got depth & length issues.....it
isn't going to be easy.

cheers
Bob